Hey I'm new to this forum - this is my first post - couple of ??'s

[mbugna]

I have a 91 XLT 4x4 that has some problems. Over the last couple of months I put some good cash into it, but now, with the following new problems I am about to give up on it, but it's tough as it's the first car I ever had.

The new problems are:

The power steering unit leaks. I'm not sure from where, I think it's either the high pressure hose or the rack itself. And also when accelerating the car shakes, I'm not sure if this is a need new tires mounted and balanced or not. I'm at a point where I'm hesitant to put any money into it beacuse my new wife and I are in the process of buying a new house and money will be tight.

Our current idea is to live with it and once the whole home purchase is over getting a new vehicle to replace this one.

Anyone have any ideas to these issues and approximate repair costs?

Thank you,

 

[spindlecone]

Wellcome
If your buying a new home in Burlingame I would wait on the Ex, first see if there is any lucre left over for food, good luck

 

[mbugna]

Well it's not a new home, but it's a small older place for us to start in - sort of a way to get our foot in the door in Pennisula real estate.

 

[spindlecone]

Good for you,I know the market well, property taxs are due next week in our local, been runnin the shopping cart nonstop collecting cans for a month now.
Gotta go the extra mile to live in sillycone valley, good luck.

 

[hermitrl]

The shaking could be a bad U joint in the driveshaft. Not too expensive. You could try getting PS parts and hoses from the wreckers and save a bit.

 

[mbugna]

At First

I thought the shaking was the tires being out of balance or unevenly worn, but the shaking is really only felt when accelerating.

As for the PS issue the hoses are cheap, but if the whole unit needs to be replaced that could be a lot more expensive. I have taken a quick look at it and can't see any issues from the hoses (low/high pressure) which leads me to think that the seal of the rack itself is leaking, and getting it fixed probably won't be cheap. In the last year or so put too much into this truck and I don't want to put any more since I know it's just going downhill.

Oh well, might be time to let it go, does have almost 190k on it - been a good vehicle.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Welcome to the site. I would wash down the inside of the engine compartment and then see if you can tell where the leak is. Then get you replacement stuff from a wrecking yard. As far as the shaking is concerned, when was the last time you changed the tie rods and ball joints?

 

[have2goski]

what all have you done to it in the last year that makes up the "some good cash into it"?

 

[marragtop]

I agree with the comment about washing down the engine area. Brake Clean is ideal for that as it removes all grease. After you do that, put some newspapers under it and start it up see where the drips are. One other area that it might be leaking from is the steering box. My '91 leaked a bit for years, and then 1 day while driving it on the road,the seal went really bad, and it used a quart every couple of miles. Since I was on the road, I had to pay somebody to fix it. ... not cheap..

Regarding the engine shaking under acceleration, you might want to consider checking the motor or trans mounts.

Mike